# Laxatives
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**Laxatives** are [[medicine|medicines]] used to treat [[constipation]].
Sennosides/Senna-vegetable-based-stimulant-To relieve constipation. PO 8.6 mg tabs or liquid. PUSH
Bisacodyl-stimulant-PO or 10 mg supp. qd-hold 20 min prior to expelling. Lubricate suppository prior to inserting.
Docusate Sodium (Colace)- stool softener. PO. MUSH
Senna Plus combines senna and docusate.
>[!bug] Note incomplete
>Hi! Chromatic here. If you've come to this note or section and it's disappointingly empty or unreadably messy, sorry! This is a placeholder note and/or my "raw" class notes. Technically every note in this vault is a work in progress, but I'm aware that this one is particularly rough. I'll probably get to it one day.
Osmotics:
Polyethylene glycol (Miralax)- powder w 8 oz water.
Lactulose- liquid- effective laxative
## Docusate
**Docusate** (brand name: Colace) is a stool softener that is a surfactant. Essentially it breaks the surface tension of the liquids in the stool, allowing *more* liquid to incorporate into it.
Docusate can be taken PO and rectally.
- Contraindications
- loose BM
## Bulk forming
Psyllium
Therapeutic class: laxative
Soluble fiber that is not absorbed & makes gel to add bulk -promote peristalsis and reduce transit time. In watery diarrhea, can bulk up to solidify BM
Therapeutic Effect: To relieve and prevent constipation
PO- capsules, powder-need to take with at least 8 oz of thin liquids
Well tolerated
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